Politics & Government

Carnevale Calls For 'Casino Impact Task Force' [POLL]

The Johnston legislator joins Warwick Rep. Joseph Trillo and 60 other House members in proposing a committee to study the impact of planned Massachusetts casinos.

State Rep. John Carnevale (D-Providence, Johnston) is one of two main sponsors of a new bill that would set up a "Casino Impact Task Force" to study how planned casinos in Massachusetts would affect gambling in Rhode Island.

"Whether voters in November approve a ballot question to expand gambling or not, we have a lot to protect, many millions of dollars in revenue that helps provide needed services to our citizens," Carnevale said in a statement released by the State House Press Burau. "Losing any portion of that would have a significant impact on our state, so we need to look seriously — now — at what might happen because of casino growth in Massachusetts and, more importantly, what we can do to grow revenues at Rhode Island's two venues."

The press release stated that Carnevale and Warwick Rep. Joseph Trillo gathered 60 co-sponsors for the bill.

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Currently, Rhode Island law allows slot machines and video poker at Twin River in Lincoln and Newport Grand, the former site of Newport Jai Alai — but prohibits table games, like blackjack.

Massachusetts recently enacted a law that allows casino gambling, and two Native American tribes have already expressed interest in running one of three planned casinos there, the Providence Journal reported.

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the General Assembly press release, the five-member committee would include no more than three members from either party, and would be charged with reporting back to the legislature by the end of May.

 

What do you think?

Will Massachusetts casinos have a big impact on Rhode Island's gambling sites? Or will Rhode Island voters finally approve "real" casinos to compete?

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